Minn. House kicks off 3 days of hearings on guns

Measures include a ban on certain assault weapons, background checks for all pistol and assault weapon purchases, mental health screening for firearm permits and other proposals.

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By Associated Press

Crookston Times - Crookston, MN

By Associated Press

Posted Feb. 5, 2013 at 1:00 PM

By Associated Press
Posted Feb. 5, 2013 at 1:00 PM

St. Paul, Minn.

The growing debate over gun control is taking center stage at Minnesota's Capitol this week as lawmakers take up a handful of proposals that would limit access to guns for some individuals.

The House Public Safety Committee plans three days of hearings starting Tuesday on various proposed gun laws. Measures include a ban on certain assault weapons, background checks for all pistol and assault weapon purchases, mental health screening for firearm permits and other proposals.

The hearings come a day after President Obama visited Minneapolis to tout his own federal gun control proposals. In Minnesota, some Democratic lawmakers want to combine a package of changes to gun legislation into one bill. No votes on specific gun proposals are planned at the Capitol this week.